The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has urged journalists and bloggers to play a central role in safeguarding citizens’ privacy during the 2025 General Election by educating the public on the Personal Data Protection Act and adhering to professional and legal standards.
Speaking at a special training for bloggers, organised by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in collaboration with the Tanzania Bloggers Network (TBN) on August 11, 2025, PDPC’s Head of Public Relations and Communication, Innocent Mungy, stressed that election coverage must prioritise the protection of personal information to prevent breaches that could lead to legal consequences.
“It is a criminal offence to interfere with someone’s private matters, and the penalties are severe. As bloggers, you have a duty to protect people’s privacy and avoid publishing information that could violate the law,” Mungy said.
He noted that while technology has expanded opportunities for communication, it has also created new challenges for responsible reporting.
He pledged PDPC’s support to assist bloggers in registering their platforms in line with legal requirements, ensuring accountability in digital publishing.
University of Dar es Salaam lecturer, Dr. Egbert Mkoko, reminded participants to follow official election reporting guidelines, emphasising that blogs are increasingly becoming vital sources of accurate information for the public.
Media Accreditation Board officer, Rehema Mpagama, clarified that only accredited journalists will be authorised to report on the elections, in accordance with the law.
TBN Chairman, Beda Msimbe, thanked the government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for enabling the training through TCRA, describing it as a timely initiative that will enhance professionalism, strengthen public trust, and protect sensitive information during the election period.
The training also explored the use of social media, artificial intelligence, media ethics, and legal obligations in election reporting, with contributions from media experts, academics, and renowned bloggers such as Issa Michuzi.